I can see I have no time for this daily entry stuff, but wanted to post my upcoming events. I will be showing two pieces that are on my blog already at this fun exhibit co-hosted with the Carnegie Art Center. Twenty-five artists signed up (not sure that many finished), but the work is outstanding and such a fun exhibit. I worried for weeks about being able to come up with something, and then after getting these two paintings done, I wanted to continue the challenge. We were given "five" unrelated objects that had to be included in our pieces. What a challenge. Sure tested this "feeble" brain for sure. When I saw the pieces being brought in yesterday, I thought how fun is this going to be! If any of you live in the area, you would love this exhibit, and the wine and food are free......can't beat that.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Red Vase Still Life

15.5 x 19.5

Pastel over oil wash on Foamie Board

This was actually the second of the "5 Object Challenge" and I was so happy with the dynamics of this piece. The small black box replaced the two boxes of the first piece and the red vase, was such a dynamic shape and color, with the soft reflections mirrored from the egg and drape. The black background has a dull green scumbled color over the black which intensifies the red of the vase even more. I had fun with this one, I must admit. I probably will matt this one with a wide , white mat and a narrow gallery frame. I am thinking about my third painting using this challenge as a spring board.

Sacrifice of Mother Egg

18 x 24"

Oil on board

This piece will be part of an exhibt centered around 5 preselected objects, on view at the Carnegie Art Center in Leavenworth, KS...Sept. 4-Sept. 30. This piece had a lot of symbolism worked into it and was a great challenge for this landscape and portrait painter. It is really about breaking the spirit of someone under the superfical pretext of having a celebration or party, while planning all the while to confront that person. In this case, there were four survivors and one victim. One survivor is hidden, but by using logic, you can find them.

Harem Scarem

Acrylic on Board

24 x 24"

Private Collection

This was one of my recent abstracts. I was told by one art teacher I should paint an abstract every week. I find myself really getting lost in the process and enjoying it a great deal. I liked this one very much, but sometimes I am overwhelmed when trying to paint from this place of raw emotion. I don't always know why I succeed with one and not another.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

For pastel enthusiasts please note the added artists on my blog, Marc Hanson, Paul DeMarrias, and Paula Ford. I am still struggling with getting the site to look the way I want to, so bear with me. Go see these three artists for a special treat.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

My sunflowers are really beautiful right now. We planted a variety pack, and I threw in a couple of Red Mums for interest and color "wow". This painting has been on my mind, so had to paint it. Want to do several others this week.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Trickling Falls at Shadow Glen, was the First place winner at the Hidden Glen Plein Air event in the fall of 2007. It remains my most awarded piece. It also won first at the First City River Festival juried art show, in fall of 2008 in Leavenworth, KS. I used the Foamie board which I created with the direction of Paul DeMarrias a Tennessee painter and a great mentor from whom I purchase my hand rolled pastels. They remain my favorite workhorse pastels. This painting also was a Blue Ribbon winner in the Greater Kansas City Artists Association and helped me to win second place in the Blue Ribbon Winner's show in 2008.

I need to get to work today. Working on a commission, so no time to do my small painting today.

I took a brief workshop from Marc Hanson, and Taylor Falls, Minnesota artist, last summer. While I am no where close to Marc in competency, he remains my favorite plein air painter. He is an up and coming artist who is nationally recognized for his plein air painting. Anyone who follows this blog will be so impressed, and may I add, if you have an opportunity to study with him, grab the chance. Also, sign up for his newsletter....it just keeps inspiring one to keep trying.

My tip for the day.......surround yourself with the best and some of their incredible spirit will rub off; guaranteed!!

Carole Abla

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About Me

I have returned to doing art after 32 years of not painting. I have been winning regional and local awards and am hoping to branch out to more national events.
I am married and have 5 grandchildren who I often use as subjects in my figurative work.